title: Properties of cell wall antigens of virulent Brucella canis and a less mucoid variant of reduced pathogenicity.
abstract: Properties of cell wall antigenic extracts of 2 Brucella canis strains (wild type, M+; and a less mucoid variant, M-) were compared. Cell wall antigens of each strain were extracted by 2 different methods and compared with respect to their serologic, chromatographic, and surface properties. In addition, selected enzymes were used to compare antigen sensitivity to degradation. Analysis of extracted antigens was done by gel immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis. Two cell wall antigens (2-R and 3-R) were present in extracts of wild type (M+) B canis that had been treated with hot (65 C) phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBSS). Three cell wall antigens (2-S, 3A-S, 3B-S) were revealed in saline extracts of the M- variant. Hot (100 C) 1% sodium deoxycholate extracted an additional antigen (1-R or 1-S) from cells (M+ or M-, respectively) which had previously been treated with hot PBSS. Certain properties of the B canis antigen extracts were examined by ion exchange chromatography, agarose gel chromatography, affinity chromatography, and enzyme degradation. Hydrophobic properties of the cell wall antigens were examined by their behavior in divalent cation, polyethylene glycol, and acid solutions. The antigens of B canis (M+) cells extracted with hot PBSS were smaller in size, had a lower net negative charge, and were more hydrophobic than those of the M- cells.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D002002:Brucella / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000276:immunology; D002845:Chromatography; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D004285:Dogs; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D007122:Immunoelectrophoresis; D013045:Species Specificity; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial